April 26, 2009
Hello from Munchen (Munich) Germany. We left Saturday night and flew here, but we had to stay overnight to wait for our next flight. We were introduced to a lovely hotel called, the Achat, in the town of Friesing, just outside of the city. We enjoyed a rural setting with a quaint town surrounded by family farms. Just beautiful! (See photos). Also we learned that the Munich airport, just six years old, is considered one of the most technologically advanced and service-oriented in Europe. It is a sight to behold, squeaky clean, efficient and the most friendly people you could imagine. It feels as though you are very quickly moved everywhere around this airport, yes even security! It was designed by a famous architect, a German American from Chicago (name escapes us) and includes an all weather Beer garden. Too bad we don’t drink beer!
We are now waiting to board our flight to Lviv, Ukraine. This is the same flight we booked on our last trip here. (see April entry) We will have a short flight in a small plane and land in a small airport. Then our friends will pick us up and drive us to the region, about a five hour drive at speeds of about 45 miles per hour. Hopefully while we are travelling, our facilitator will be picking up our FINAL approved court decree from the judge. Please say a prayer that there have not been any “developments” since our last court date. (We are a little nervous about any relatives or friends that may have surfaced to contest the adoption.)
We are anticipating running around a lot tomorrow getting documents and submitting applications for visas & passports. We are so excited to finally tell the kids that, “Yes, today is the day!” and “Pack your things!” and “Let’s Go to the U.S.!”
We talked to our little guy (our new SON) on the phone before we left and he was so excited. He wanted to start packing immediately (It was last Saturday morning) He wants to bring everything we’ve ever given to him. I hope not! We only have 1 suitcase for him, and that is filled already with a few clothes & toys & books to keep him happy on the long flights home. Our new Daughter will have lots of mementos from friends & family I’m sure. She has two unfilled suitcases. I hope we don’t have to ship too much.
The Swine Flu news story is all over the wires in Germany. I hope our sniffles don’t get us quarantined! According to the European TV news stories they do not seem to be making much distinction between travelers from the United States and those from Mexico. Please Pray for our continued good health and that we do not get the kids sick either.
Can it be that we are finally coming up to the finish line of this first journey? Well of course not; the end of the “process” is just the beginning of the family journey for the seven of us together. We spent last week trying to get beds ready and clothes washed. Our journey is really a marathon and we are only in the first few miles. As Paul said in Hebrews 12, "...let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..."
Hello from Munchen (Munich) Germany. We left Saturday night and flew here, but we had to stay overnight to wait for our next flight. We were introduced to a lovely hotel called, the Achat, in the town of Friesing, just outside of the city. We enjoyed a rural setting with a quaint town surrounded by family farms. Just beautiful! (See photos). Also we learned that the Munich airport, just six years old, is considered one of the most technologically advanced and service-oriented in Europe. It is a sight to behold, squeaky clean, efficient and the most friendly people you could imagine. It feels as though you are very quickly moved everywhere around this airport, yes even security! It was designed by a famous architect, a German American from Chicago (name escapes us) and includes an all weather Beer garden. Too bad we don’t drink beer!
We are now waiting to board our flight to Lviv, Ukraine. This is the same flight we booked on our last trip here. (see April entry) We will have a short flight in a small plane and land in a small airport. Then our friends will pick us up and drive us to the region, about a five hour drive at speeds of about 45 miles per hour. Hopefully while we are travelling, our facilitator will be picking up our FINAL approved court decree from the judge. Please say a prayer that there have not been any “developments” since our last court date. (We are a little nervous about any relatives or friends that may have surfaced to contest the adoption.)
We are anticipating running around a lot tomorrow getting documents and submitting applications for visas & passports. We are so excited to finally tell the kids that, “Yes, today is the day!” and “Pack your things!” and “Let’s Go to the U.S.!”
We talked to our little guy (our new SON) on the phone before we left and he was so excited. He wanted to start packing immediately (It was last Saturday morning) He wants to bring everything we’ve ever given to him. I hope not! We only have 1 suitcase for him, and that is filled already with a few clothes & toys & books to keep him happy on the long flights home. Our new Daughter will have lots of mementos from friends & family I’m sure. She has two unfilled suitcases. I hope we don’t have to ship too much.
The Swine Flu news story is all over the wires in Germany. I hope our sniffles don’t get us quarantined! According to the European TV news stories they do not seem to be making much distinction between travelers from the United States and those from Mexico. Please Pray for our continued good health and that we do not get the kids sick either.
Can it be that we are finally coming up to the finish line of this first journey? Well of course not; the end of the “process” is just the beginning of the family journey for the seven of us together. We spent last week trying to get beds ready and clothes washed. Our journey is really a marathon and we are only in the first few miles. As Paul said in Hebrews 12, "...let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..."
Good to hear from you. Still praying.
ReplyDeleteFantastic!!! God is so good! We too are a family of seven now with our new son! Can't wait for your arrival so we can get the children together. Best regards to all of you. If you get a chance give a hug of encouragement and love to the other U.S.family, we miss them so. Ours prayers are with all of you, God's glory to shine thru this all! J&L
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